Brooklyn Nets vs Golden State Warriors: preview and player stats (Jan 2, 2027)

Traore (calf) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Pelicans, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports. Traore will miss his first game of the season after being downgraded from questionable to out. The second-year wing was flourishing in a starting role, averaging 15.1 points, 3.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 24.9 minutes over his past seven games. With Mikel Brown (illness) and Traore unavailable, Egor Demin (leg), Keon Ellis, Chaney Johnson, Noah Clowney and Danny Wolf are candidates for increased roles.

Brown has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Pelicans due to an illness, Sharif Phillips-Keaton of USA Today reports. Brown had been sidelined for Sunday's 130-93 loss to the Mavericks due to back injury management and was slated to return to action Wednesday. However, he appears to have fallen ill overnight, as the Nets added him to the injury report as questionable earlier Wednesday before downgrading him to out.

Injury/Illness - Right ACL Repair / Surgery (2026-11-13, GSW@SAS). Prior reporting (2026-10-16): Butler (knee) could return sometime between January and February as he continues recovering from a torn right ACL, Anthony Slater of ESPN reports. Butler, who underwent surgery after suffering the injury Jan. 19, has progressed to individual court work but still has several rehabilitation milestones to clear. His next step involves landing comfortably after a game-speed jump. Coach Steve Kerr is hopeful Butler can rejoin Golden State for the latter portion of the season, though no official return date has been announced. The 37-year-old forward remains a significant part of the Warriors' plans and could provide a substantial boost during the second half of the campaign.

Injury/Illness - Right Oblique Tear (2026-11-13, GSW@SAS). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Curry has been diagnosed with an oblique abdominal tear and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. Curry suffered the injury early during Wednesday's loss to the Rockets, with head coach Steve Kerr saying after the game that the superstar point guard "tweaked" something in his abdominal area. Curry has never dealt with an injury of this nature, so the Warriors, who are off to a hot start spearheaded by Rookie of the Year candidate Yaxel Lendeborg, will likely proceed with caution. Brandin Podziemski, Brandon Williams (hamstring), De'Anthony Melton, Will Richard and Gary Payton (knee) are all candidates for increased roles until Curry is cleared to play again.

Injury/Illness - Left Patellar Tendon Repair / Surgery (2026-11-13, GSW@SAS). Prior reporting (2026-10-16): Moody (knee) is progressing toward a potential return between December and January after rupturing his left patellar tendon in March, Anthony Slater of ESPN reports. Moody has been limited to individual court work, but team sources indicate he's ahead of Jimmy Butler (knee) in the rehabilitation process and is expected to return before the veteran forward. The 24-year-old still has several recovery checkpoints to complete, and Golden State has not established an official timetable. His eventual return would help replenish a Warriors wing rotation that will open the season without both Moody and Butler.

Not With Team (2026-11-13, GSW@SAS). Prior reporting (2026-11-06): Porzingis announced on his social media that he's stepping away from basketball. Porzingis said he was looking forward to joining the Warriors, but his body didn't respond the way he wanted it too during his ramp-up process before the season. Additionally, he said he will work with the Warriors on a solution that "makes sense." Porzingis is making this decision to prioritize his health and will hopefully turn a corner soon on that front.

Injury/Illness - Left Hamstring Strain (2026-11-13, GSW@SAS). Prior reporting (2026-11-10): Williams (hamstring) will miss at least one week, per Anthony Slater of ESPN.com. Williams has been diagnosed with a hamstring strain in the aftermath of Monday's game against the Pelicans, and his status for Golden State's upcoming five-game road trip is in serious doubt. With Williams facing an extended absence, the Warriors are likely to lean more on De'Anthony Melton in the backourt.

Injury/Illness - Left Toe Soreness (2026-11-13, GSW@SAS). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Bassey is probable for Friday's game against the Spurs due to left toe soreness. It's not clear as to when this injury popped up for Bassey, who missed the first two games of the season with a knee issue but has been otherwise healthy. Expect the team to confirm his availability for Friday as tipoff nears.